By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., July 24—Jerry Coons Jr. scored his second straight victory Sunday Night in the 30-lap Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series feature at Angell Park Speedway. The win was Coons’ 25th career feature victory at the track moving him into eighth place all-time on the tracks feature win list.
Polesitter Cody Weisensel took the lead at the start over Matt Smith and Brad Kuhn at the start. The caution appeared for a stalled car on Lap 5 erasing Weisensel’s lead. On the restart Weisensel jumped to a size able margin over the trio and Coons who moved into fourth place. Weisensel led Smith by one second on Lap 10. Two laps later Travis Berryhill escaped injury in a flip, bringing out the red flag.
On the restart Weisensel withstood the challenge from Smith for the lead until Lap 16. Kuhn took over second position one lap later. Smith continued to pace the field, with Coons passing Kuhn for second place, with ten laps remaining. Coons closed to Smith’s rear bumper on Lap 25. One lap later Coons took the lead entering Turn One.
Coons spent the final two laps in heavy lapped traffic allowing Smith and Kuhn to close to within a one-car length. Coons driving the Ralph Wilke owned Spike/Toyota No. 5 finished two-car lengths ahead of Smith, Kuhn, Brandon Waelti, and Taylor Ferns. Ferns’ finish marks the best ever feature finish by a female driver at the track.
Twelve-year old Robby Resch also made history winning the Badger 600 Micro Series feature over: Jake Reif, Chad Bogar, George Knudsen and Preston Benisch. Resch becomes the youngest feature winner in track history. Kuhn now holds a 48-point lead over Bubba Altig heading into the Aug. 13-14 doubleheader weekend at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway and Angell Park.
30-lap Feature: 1. Jerry Coons Jr.; 2. Matt Smith; 3. Brad Kuhn; 4. Brandon Waetli; 5. Taylor Ferns; 6. Cody Weisensel; 7. Bubba Altig; 8. Scott Hatton; 9. Eric Johnson; 10. Bob Schreffler; 11. Kurt Mayhew; 12. Travis Berryhill; 13. Daniel Robinson; 14. Jim Fuerst.
10-lap Heat Race winners: Coons, Waelti.
Cars Present: 17 Feature Lap Leaders: Weisensel 1-15, Smith 16-26, Coons 27-30.
Current Badger Midget Series points: 1. Brad Kuhn 695; 2. Bubba Altig 647; 3. Mike Hess 578; 4. Scott Hatton 466; 5. Brandon Waelti 350; 6. Daniel Robinson 347; 7. Davey Ray 341; 8. Robbie Ray 325; 9. Jerry Coons Jr. 318; 10. David Budres 308.